Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Seriously. It's like I said when trying to write about Juan Nicasio's return start the other night, I don't know that I'm capable of finding the right words to describe what I witnessed play out at Coors Field tonight.

It was...

How do you say...

Wait a second. I think I got it!

It. Was. Awesome!

Sending Tim Lincecum back to the barber shop in the third inning (his shortest start ever)? Awesome.

Not folding after blowing a 6-0 lead? Awesome.

Trying really hard to get thrown out on the bases... but failing? A little weird, but still awesome.

Scoring 17 runs (on 22 hits) without a single home run? Refreshing. And awesome.

Winning Player: Obviously the Rockies received contributions from the entire lineup — and some from the bench as well — to register those ridiculous numbers. To pick one player from that bunch would be absurd, so we'll can this one a complete team win from the offensive side.

Though special hat tips are in order for Carlos Gonzalez (two triples, four RBI), Michael Cuddyer (three doubles, two RBI) Dexter Fowler (two doubles, single, two runs), Chris Nelson (three hits, two RBI) and Eric Young Jr. (bunt single, triple, stolen base RBI and run scored in one half inning of work). And an attaboy for Tyler Chatwood as well as he pitched the final three innings to collect his first career save.

Turning Point: As I mentioned before, not rolling over and dying after San Francisco rallied to take the lead in the fourth was a pleasant sight to see and definitely the turning point in this win. After the Giants scored seven in the top half, Colorado methodically rallied for three in the bottom half and then seven of their in the fifth.

As Chris Chrisman (@chrischrisman) said it on Twitter.

In recent years, the Rox would've tried to get all those runs back at once. They wouldn't have folded tents - they'd just white knuckle it. The approach this inning is a different mindset - don't do too much, just chip away. That's a mature attitude from old and new players alike.

When I said after Monday's game that the Rockies resilience would be tested early, I didn't know it would be tested quite to this extent on Wednesday. But we all should be encouraged by their professional response. Hopefully it's something we can continue to reference as the season plays out.

On a separate note, here's hoping Dexter Fowler's big night can serve as a personal turning point. Let's be honest, there will be no answer for this offense if/when Fowler heats up for any substantial period of time. He's that one dynamic piece that can connect every together, and a breakout season from him is exactly what the Rockies will need if they hope to keep pace in this tough division.

Jeremy Guthrie's Line: 3 1/3 IP, 6 ER, 9 H, 2 BB, 1 K, 2 HR

Spotted the 6-0 lead through three innings, Guthrie gave it all back almost immediately in the fourth. The first two runs came on back-to-back home runs from Nate Schierholtz and Brandon Crawford to start the inning. The Giants then finished off Guthrie with a pair of singles, a double and a walk, before plating the tying and go ahead runs off Matt Reynolds.

It was a brutal inning. And honestly, the Giants were squaring up Guthrie in the early frames as well, so the entire outing can be looked at as disappointing and perhaps even discouraging.

Screengrab(s) of the Game

Oh, Timmy... those mechanics are going to need a little work. (MLB.TV)

Highlight(s) of the Night: This isn't easy either. Do I go with something positive for the Rockies? Do I further embarrass Lincecum or the Giants defense? Or do I simply direct you to the highlight bank and allow you to select your own?

What's Next: A rubber match is scheduled for Thursday afternoon at 1:10 MT. The Rockies will power walk Jamie Moyer out to the mound for a date with another lefty by the name of Madison Bumgarner. MadBum had a rough 2012 debut in Arizona much the same way Lincecum did, so hopefully the Rockies can pile on him as well.

1 comments:

That was an EPIC win for the Rockies! I grew up in the bay area , and all of my friends back home are Giants fans (got some pretty dirty texts after Zito's blanking), but I have always been a Rockies fan since it was my first ball game ever! Now I get the opportunity to dish out a little $hit talking of my own to the people back home! :)